Manavgat is a very famous place among tourists who go to Antalya for a beach holiday in Turkey. After sea procedures and sunbathing, many people go to Manavgat to see various attractions, of which there are enough here. Despite the small size of the city, it harmoniously combines cultural heritage sites and modern architecture.

Holiday season in Manavgat

You can travel to this city at any time. It all depends on individual preferences and the purpose of the trip. For those who want to enjoy swimming in the sea, it is better to choose the period from the end of May to the end of October. The water temperature will please you with its positive indicators (+ 23-29), and the air warms up to +27 degrees in May.

In November, the weather changes and begins to get colder. This is manifested, first of all, in a decrease in air temperature to + 18-15 degrees. The water in the sea also gradually cools down, and swimming is no longer possible.

Winter in Manavgat is mild and warm, compared to most Ukrainian regions. So, in December the air temperature ranges from +10 to +13 degrees. January is characterized by a decrease in temperature to +9 degrees.

The maximum number of bad weather days falls on winter and spring. However, this is not a reason to postpone the trip: stormy winds and prolonged rains do not occur often.

TOP 10 interesting places in Manavgat

Great Mosque of Manavgat

Turkey is famous for its mosques, the largest of which is located in Manavgat. This attraction has existed since 2004 and has already managed to gain popularity among locals and pilgrims. It is worth noting the fact that entry to the shrine is allowed to everyone, regardless of religion, which is a rare phenomenon among Muslims.

The unusualness of the structure lies in the fact that it includes 4 minarets, each of which reaches a height of 60 meters. The domes of the minarets are decorated with exquisite Arabic-style paintings and beautiful stained glass openings.

In front of the entrance to the mosque there is a fountain where visitors must undergo ablution. After the ritual, you can enter the main minaret and collect water, which is considered healing.

Manavgat Fountain

The city has a significant amount of evidence that representatives of different civilizations and eras lived on its territory. One of them, tourists can find not far from the Arc de Triomphe. The date of creation of the fountain is 74 AD. Historians were able to determine the exact time of creation of the masterpiece thanks to an inscription that tells that the fountain was installed during the reign of the Roman emperor Vespasian.

Outwardly, the fountain resembles a pile of stones stacked on top of each other in a certain sequence. Jets of water flow from holes made in the stone blocks. In the upper part of the fountain, statues depicting Roman rulers and high-ranking officials are installed. The fountain still functions, captivating not only the city’s residents, but also its guests.

Triumphal Arch in Manavgat

The monuments located in the town of Side are considered the cultural heritage of Manavgat, since these settlements are separated by only 14 kilometers. After Roman and Greek rule, many architectural complexes have survived on the Antalya coast. The entrance to one of them is crowned by a triumphal arch – a symbol of the power of Emperor Vespasian.

The 6-meter-high arched gate was built in the 1st century AD as a defensive structure after the defeat of pirate invaders by the Roman commander.

Two towers were built on both sides of the structure, which perform a protective function. At the base are two small arches, where monuments depicting emperors and members of their families were previously erected. These relics are now stored in the National Museum of Turkey.

Seleucia (Libre)

At a distance of 11 kilometers from Managuata are the ruins of an ancient city, found by archaeologists only in the 20th century. The history of the emergence of Seleucia dates back to the 2nd century BC, when the city was a defensive fortress-type structure. Later, people from the villages began to move to the city, and it quickly gained dominance on the coast.

Today, the ruins of Seleucia have been overgrown with forest, but this does not prevent you from enjoying a walk and exploring the perimeter gate, statues of Roman deities and parts of the amphitheater that remained after many years of destruction. In addition, for tourists, the Manavgat authorities have completely restored the bathhouse, temple, agora and necropolis. These structures have preserved traces of history dating back several millennia, which is of considerable value in the cultural sphere of the country.

Green Canyon in Manavgat

In the vicinity of the city there are many natural objects that attract attention with their pristine picturesqueness. The canyon rightfully takes first place and has a number of features that distinguish it from other natural beauties of Turkey.

Unique location (height 350 meters).
Diversity of flora and fauna.
High environmental indicators.

You can get to the canyon as part of a tourist group. A special program has been developed for visitors, which includes climbing the serpentine, taking a yacht ride, getting to know the wildlife of the canyon, and swimming in the clear water. At the exit, you can purchase souvenirs: postcards, magnets, key chains, scarves with the symbols of the canyon.

Manavgat Amphitheater

The monument is located in the ancient city of Seleucia and is recognized as the largest Greek architectural structure in Turkey, belonging to the period of antiquity. It was here that mass events were held, and representatives of the Greek elite gathered to decide the fate of the convicts.

According to scientists, the theater could accommodate more than 18 thousand spectators and was equipped with an amazing acoustic system. Sound waves were transmitted for several kilometers, which made it possible to quickly gather people for gladiatorial fights and festivals. Also, the lower tier of the theater could be filled with water, if necessary in accordance with the script of the play.

Now the rows of spectators, massive columns at the entrance and a round stage testify to the former splendor of the building.

During the tour you will learn about the specifics of the Greek theater and its productions, walk through the ruins, take photos against the background of the sea and feel the atmosphere of the ancient city.

Lake Titreengel in Manavgat

Despite its small size, this lake is known far beyond Manavgat. The reason for this was the name of the water area, which is translated from Turkish as “the lake that worries.” The history of Titreengel is shrouded in legends.

One of them tells that in ancient times an old man lived on the shore of the lake. He loved birds very much and gave them peace from the hunters who hunted on the lake. Once the old man saw hunters shooting ducks. He covered the birds with his body and died from a bullet. After this event, the lake began to “tremble” in memory of the poor old man and his feat.

You can take a boat ride on the lake, moor to the shore and taste delicious Turkish cuisine in a cozy restaurant. Along the coastline are hotels, recreation areas and fish markets.

Oymapınar Dam in Manavgat

A large dam was built in the highlands of the Manavgat River in 1983, the purpose of which was to generate electricity. Later, the dam became a local landmark and tourists from all over Turkey came to see it.

The Oymapınar structure includes a powerful concrete arch and four turbines with a capacity of 130 MW. More than 40 percent of the total energy produced is consumed by the aluminum plant. To the left of the dam are two spillways built using ancient technology. However, today they serve as decorative structures, as they were closed in 1990 due to unnecessary use.

Visitors to the dam can see its work “from the inside”, get acquainted with the features of the work of Oymapınar and take interesting photos.

Contact Manavgat Zoo

Those who go to Manavgat with children are recommended to go to the private zoo, built in the city center. The zoo is divided into thematic zones, where animals of different species live. The zoo’s favorite inhabitants are monkeys, peacocks and wild horses. For the youngest, employees organize performances with the participation of animals.

After a walk around the zoo, you can sit in a cafe and taste traditional Turkish dishes, as well as ride a miniature steam locomotive through all zones. Additional services include taking pictures with animals and the opportunity to personally communicate with some of them.

Watching the inhabitants of the zoo, you will learn about the peculiarities of their life and see the behavior of animals in conditions close to natural.

Green Mosque of Manavgat

At the entrance to the city there is a mosque, where entry is prohibited to those who do not preach Islam. This closed building has an interesting architectural concept and is well-known among believers. In 1973, the mosque was reconstructed and its upper part began to be crowned with four domes framing the main dome. Tin plates were used to build the roof, which create an amazing light effect, shimmering in the sun.

Arched windows, calm colors, strict lines, conciseness, ornaments on the facade illustrating the text of the Quran – all this is the embodiment of the Islamic religious world in architectural form. Inside, the mosque is not much different from others, since for all buildings of this type there are strict rules when creating the interior of the shrine.